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In this plea which pertains to lifting of ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka, the top court has earlier granted permission to allocate iron ore by entering into direct contracts without resorting to e-auction.
The Supreme Court recently ordered that the ceiling limit of iron ore mining may be raised from 28 MMT to 35 MMT for District Bellary, and from 7 MMT to 15 MMT for Chitradurga and Tumkur Districts collectively in the state of Karnataka.
While adopting a cautious approach, keeping in view the concerns raised and to ensure that any changes in the situation with respect to the mining activity in the State of Karnataka is brought about gradually, the top court ordered such a slight increase in the ceiling limit.
"Conservation of the ecology and the environment must go hand in hand with the spirit of economic development and the fine balance between the two goals is what is sought to be achieved even now", observed a bench of the then CJI Justice Ramana and Justices CT Ravikumar and Hima Kohli.
Supreme Court also refused to accept the recommendation of the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) to grant complete relaxation of the ceiling limit imposed on the mining of iron ore in certain districts of Karnataka.
Court also noted that the concerns raised by the original petitioner of possible over excavation and its adverse impact on intergenerational equity must be balanced against the concerns of the other parties, as the principles of sustainable development also come into play.
In May, the top court allowed mining and export of iron ore and selling readily excavated iron ore stock at three districts in Karnataka.
Earlier, the Supreme Court in April reserved its judgment on an application by iron ore manufacturers, seeking direction to lift the ban on export of iron ore in Karnataka.
Court was hearing the matter pertaining to lifting of the ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka.
Case Title: SAMAJ PARIVARTANA SAMUDAYA AND ORS. vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS.
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